UPDATE: Meningitis death toll rises

Posted:
Tuesday, October 9, 2012 2:29 PM EDT

NEW YORK (AP) -

UPDATE-The death toll from the meningitis outbreak continues to rise. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now says 12 people have died and 137 are sickened. The CDC released the new numbers Wednesday.

None of the tainted steroid pain relief medication is thought to have been sent to the state of Wisconsin. But health experts say anyone who may have traveled outside the state and sought treatment at a clinic, should check to see if that clinic is on the list of those that received a batch of the medication tied to the outbreak of rare fungal meningitis. For more information:CDC: www.cdc.gov/HAI/outbreaks/meningitis.html

The CDC has information on where the outbreak has spread, what clinics could be affected and what you should do if you have concerns.

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The number of people sickened by a deadly meningitis outbreak has now reached 119 cases, including 11 deaths.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated the count on Tuesday.

New Jersey is the 10th state to report at least one illness. The other states involved in the outbreak are Tennessee, Michigan, Virginia, Indiana, Florida, Maryland, Minnesota, North Carolina and Ohio.

Officials have tied the outbreak of rare fungal meningitis to steroid shots for back pain. The steroid was made by a specialty pharmacy in Massachusetts. At least one contaminated vial was found at the company.

The company recalled the steroid that was sent to clinics in 23 states, and later recalled everything it makes.